Shawn Elizabeth Guillot was born July 5, 1976, the third child and only daughter of Don and Peggy Guillot. She was a special gift to her parents, who hoped for a baby sister for two brothers, Shannon and Shane. She was also a joyful gift to her grandparents, dozens of cousins, aunts, uncles, and to me, her godfather.

When I think of Shawn, I think of colors as bright as her smile, flowers because she was beautiful, and hearts because she loved people. These seemed the natural images for her quilt piece. The nine hearts represent the organs given from Shawn in hope that others might be helped to live. The ninth and largest heart, with her name written across it, represents Shawn’s loving essence and giving nature. Wanting to become a child psychologist, helping others came naturally to her. The decision to donate her organs is one she would have insisted upon.

The flowers represent the gift Shawn was to her family and friends. As spring flowers brighten a garden, Shawn brightened our lives with her delightful smile, loving kindness, and charming manner. The large rose under her name represents her youthful beauty. At fifteen years of age, she had the radiance of a pretty girl blooming into a beautiful young woman. The flowers, hearts, and ribbons surround Shawn’s name as she was usually surrounded by friends, who loved being with her.

Shawn’s tragic death devastated her family and friends. Our lives are forever changed, and each thought of her is another step into the grief of her loss. I believe that tragedy offers us an opportunity to create meaning. In donating her organs, Shawn and her family took a devastating tragedy and created the gift of continued life for six donor recipients.

When I think of Shawn now, almost six years after her death, I think of an angelic, winged, loving spirit, who as a final loving act gave a special gift before she left the earth. I see her soar heavenward with the beautiful wings of a butterfly, like the one next to her name on this memorial quilt patch.

Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) is an independent, not-for-profit organ and tissue recovery agency. LOPA's Core Purpose is Making Life Happen. We save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation.

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Thank you to Rapides Regional Medical Center for their annual Tree of Life Ceremony today! It was a wonderful, emotional gathering and an amazing experience to share with donor families. The tree is located in the South Tower Lobby of the hospital.

A quick listen to 'The Gifted Life' podcast and you'll hear our hosts repeating...ONE person can make a difference in the world of donation!
Well, Rodie of 'Metro City Driving Academy' is one of those people!
See all those forms Rodie is holding in the attached picture? Those are all registration forms! She's helping to increase Louisiana's donor registry. Her motivation? Her friend, her HERO - Daniel. His picture is a fixture on the class walls (see him in the white hat?) She also lines her walls with donation information. Daniel saved and enhanced lives through donation. Rodie wants to save more people, too - in Daniel's honor. Thanks, Rodie for helping us MAKE LIFE HAPPEN! #DonateLife #DonateLifeLA #Podcast #TheGiftedLife

Join us on DLL's Facebook page live this morning, beginning at 11:00. Ricardo "Buck" Brown's Donate Life Rose Parade Float Floragraph will be unveiled to his mother. She will be finishing her son's floragraph before it is placed on the float! @donatelifefloat #donatelife

Today is #GivingTuesday! We are asking you to give something unique today—your name. Your name can save and heal many lives. Visit YourNameSaves.org to learn more. #yournamesaves #DonateLife